Aeroplane



Aug. 23, 1932.

G. REEL AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 12. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR GORdON REE.

Hi5 ATTORNEYS AEROPLANE G. REEL 1,872,811

Filed Feb. 12. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR GoRdoN RElfl BY PWMQMM ,HISATTORNEYS Aug. 3 1932.

G. REEL AEROPLANE Filed Feb. 12. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 HIS ATTORNEYS Patented Aug 1932 eonnon me, or new roux, N. Y.

o F cEf A'EBOI'LANE I Application filed nann 12,1929. Serial no. 339,309.

. This invention relates to aeroplanes and has for an object the provision of an imroved aeroplane structure which rovides or' the elimination of many of t e usual structural features of aero lanes which cause resistance to movement. 10m particularly,

- the invention contemplates the provision of an aeroplane structure provided with im proved anding gear.

The present invention provides for the elimination of the usual wide base landing gear with the associated struts and braces and exposed wheels which cause great resistance to the movement of the plane and result in a considerable reduction in efiiciency. The

resent invention utilizes a relatively narrow' ase landing means in substantially the position of the usual wheel means. Any desirable type of tail skid may be used in conjunction with the landing means. The landing means is capable of supporting the full weight of the plane, but of insufficient width to normally maintain the plane in a laterally balanced or stable position while at rest upon the ground. Thus, when a tail skid is Used in conjunction with the landing means, the aeroplane is spaced from and supported above the landin surface by supporting means which, in e ect', contact with the landing surface at only two points disposed in a line extending centrally and longitudinally of the central body of the aeroplane. Wing skids are provided for 'use in conjunction with the centrally disposed supporting means. The invention is applicable to land and amphibian aeroplanes.

I prefer to providetwo Wing skids, one disposed on each side of the supporting means and rigidly attached to a wing. The skids may be suitably spaced from the supporting member to provide the proper balance or wheels positioned beneath the central body portions. The wheels may be adjustably mounted Within the streamline central body I rearwardly from their points of attachment to the wings to any desired extent. Amphibian planes embodying the invention may be provided with adjustable or retractable supporting means associated with centrally disposed pontoons. Wing tip floats may be provided and wing skids may be attached to the wing floats or directly to the wings.

The wing skids preferably extend downwardlly a sufiicient distance that, when the aerop ane on which they are mounted is at rest upon the landing surface, upward pressure is exerted through both skids. Thus, in the preferred constructioma line containing the landing surface contact points of the wing skids would normally be disposed below a line containing the landing surface contact points of the central supporting means, for instance, if the entire aeroplane were spaced above the means were extended ing positions.

The invention will be better understood from'a consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a land plane embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation at skid attached thereto and 0d of attaching the skid to the wing;

Fig. 3 is similar to Fig. 2 but shows a skid extending rearwardly to point behind the wing;

Fig. dis a front elevation of a land plane embodying the invention;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a wing showing a skid attached to the aileron;

of a wing having landing surface and the supporting to their normal landa showing a meth- Fig. 6 is a plan of a1 wing skid;

Fig. 7 is a section taken substantially along line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section taken substantially along line 8-8 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9- is a side elevation of an amphibian plane embodying the invention;

Fig. 10 is a sectional elevation taken sub stantially along line 10-10 of Fig. 11, and

showing a tandem arrangement of retractable landing wheels; and

Fig. 11 is a section substantially along line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

In Figs. 1 and 4 of shown a monoplane adapted only for land purposes and comprising a central body por contact points of the tail skid and wheel, and

terial suc function simultaneously to balance the machine or the wheel and tail skid. The wing skids are referably formed of a resilient mali, for example, as wood, OLllOllOW metal, and they are preferably streamline, terminating some distance rearwardly of their points of attachment to the wing to provide further resiliency.

Figs. 7 and 8 show' sections of the wing skids. The upper portion of each skid has a streamline contour as shown in Fig. 7 and the'lower end portion is broadened to provide a relatively large bearing surface.

The major portion of the wheel 22 is enclosed in a streamline casing 25 and it may be either rigidly or adjustably mounted therein. The provision of a single wheel permits the use of a relatively small number of struts and braces which may be enclosed in a relatively small streamline casing. V

The wing skids may be attached to the wings in any suitable manner. Fig. 2 shows one method of attachment in which the skid is bolted as at 26 to one of the spars comprising the framework.

Figs. 2 and 3 show skids of different lengths which may be used to provide varying resiliency or contact of the skids with the landing surface at difierent points. 5 shows a skid 24 rigidly attached to an aileron 27 which forms a part of the wing structure 21. This arrangement permits some degree of manipulation of the skids and permits the skids to automatically function harmoniously with the ailerons.

An amphibian aeroplane embodying the the drawings, there is I invention may comprise a central body portion 30, a transversely extending wing 31, a central pontoon 32 and'wing floats 33 (Fig. 9). Wing skids 34 may directly to the wing or to the wing floats. A single central wheel such as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, and a tail skid maybe used in conjunction with the wing skids for alighting upon land. Two or more closely adjacent wheels mounted for rotation about the same axis may be used, and single wheels or. umts comprising a plurality of wheels may be mounted in tandem.

The amphibian aeroplane shown in the drawings is provided with a retractable land'- v be rigidly attached ing unit comprising four wheels, two wheels abreast and in tandem. The wheels 35 are mounted for rotation about a single axis. The wheels 36 are also mounted for rotation about a single axis, and disposed directly behind the wheels 35. The wheels 35 and 36 are mounted in a frame 37 which is pivotally. supported at 40 in an adjustablesupport 41. The support 41 is slidably .mounted'within a downwardly opening pocket in the pontoon 32, suitable guide members and grooves being proyided to direct the movement ofkthe sup por. a

A screw 42 provided with av shock absorber 43 is attached by a swivel connection at 44 to the support 41. The. screw 42 extends substantially vertically through an internally threaded bushing 45, rotatably mounted and locked against vertical move-.

mentin the internal framework of the aeroplane. A gear 46 is rigidly mounted on the bushing 45 and connected by means of a chain 47 with manipulatingmeans (not shown) in the pilots cockpit. The arrangement shown and described provides for the extension and retraction of the landing wheels. Door members 48 are provided for closing thedownwardly opening pocket in the Springs 49 serve to maintain the oors 48 in their closed positions when'the wheels are withdrawn, and to permit the doors to be opened by the pressure exerted by the wheels as they are being extended.

The landing wheel arrangement shownvin harmony with said ailerons to control the lateral stability of the machine.

2. An amphibian aeroplane comprising a central ontoon having a downwardly open ing poc 'et therein, a wingextending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said pontoon, a plurality of. wheels mounted in tanontoon.

dein within said pocket and movable from inoperative positions within sald pocket to operative positions in which portions thereof pro'ect below the bottom of said pontoon,

wing oats for balancing the aeroplane on the central pontoon on water, and wing skids ri 'dly attached to said wing floats and a apted to act simultaneously to balance the aeroplane on the wheels on land.

3. A flying-machine comprising a central body having a downwardly openm pocket disposed substantially centrally of the longitudinal side ed es thereof, a plurality of wheels mounte in tande within said pocket and movable from in perative positions within said pocket to operative positions in which portions thereof project from said pocket, a wing extending transversely of the longitudinal axis of said body, and wing skids for balancing said machine on said wheels.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

GORDON REEL. 

